Thread tensioning device



' Oct. 12, 1954 D. c. BURKHART THREAD TENSIONING DEVICE Sheeis-Sheet l Filed Nov. 1'7, 1952 .Qi C 4 d m BY MM M ATTORNEYS 0 1954 o. c. BURKHART ,691,4 3.

THREAD TENSIONING DEVICE Filed NOV. 17. 1952 2 Shees-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a thread tensioning device which is intended to grip a thread held with one hand while knitting or crocheting.

At the present time it is customary to trail thread across a persons hand and loosely wrap a portion of the thread about a finger such as the little finger, the thread being thus held under tension-while knitting or crocheting. This is not satisfactory to many persons as the portion of the thread wrapped about a finger has a tendency to roughen the skin and in addition the thread is liable to slip about the finger and thus not be properly tensioned.

Devices for tensionin-g the thread'or yarn and worn upon a finger have'been developed but are not entirely satisfactory as some'either grip the thread too tightly or not tight enough, due to improper adjustment, and others haveactuating buttons or the like which are liable to be missed when a person is attempting to applygrip upon a thread. It has also been found that thread grippers as now made do not fit properly about a finger and are liable to slip about a finger or are of such formationthat grippers of several sizes must be made in order that-a person may select i one of the proper size.

It istherefore, one object of the invention-to provide a-thread tensioning device-having a finger-encircling body which may be readily slipped into place about a finger andheld in its proper position together with a grip-ping element which is carried bythe body at the outer end thereof and 'yieldably mounted so that when a finger passed through the-body and the gripper is bent toward a closed position the gripper will be forced toward a grippingposition, the gripperbeing immediatelyreturnedto its normally inactive position-when pressure of the finger upon the gripper is released.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a thread tensioning device which includes a finger encircling body having a'thread engaging portion-at the front of its outer-end across which a portion of a thread passes and also includes a gripping element which also fits about the finger and is urged away from the outer end of the body by'an elastic orresilient connection, the gripping element having a thread engaging portion disposed opposite the thread engaging portion of the body so that when the gripping element is pressed toward the body, a thread will be frictionally gripped between the thread engaging portions of the body and the gripper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a-thread tensioner wherein the body is formed at easily =moved into position between the thread the front of'its outer end with a socket adapted to:' have a threadpassed transversely through it, the gripping element-carrying a lug which fits into-the socket and is readily movable therein intoand out of position for pressing the thread "against 'the bottom of the socket and tightly gripping the thread.

Another object of'the invention is to so form the thread engaging portions of the body and the gripping element that while a thread may be engagingportions and slide'freely until gripped, the thread will 'notbe liableto accidentally slip out of place between the thread gripping portions.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a thread tensioner consisting of companion ele- -ments, each Of-WhiCh may be-formed as a unit of plastic orother suitable material, the said elements being connected by elastic hinge means so engaged with-the elements-that it will be firmly mounted and prevented from slipping out of place by transverse strains during movement of the 6 thread gripping elementintoand out of a gripping position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved threadtensionerwhich may be applied to afinger of either the left or right hand of a person using the tensioner.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of companion elements illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 'isa perspective view showing a thread tensioner applied 'to the little finger of a person's -left:hand, the finger being in'apressure applying position;

'Fig. 2 is aview similar to Fig. l'showing the finger in a pressure releasing position;

Fig. 3 is a rearview of the thread tensioner;

"Fig. 4 is atransversesectional view taken along the line'44 of'Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 5'5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7-is a group-view showing elements of the thread tensioner in perspective;

Fig-8 is a rear'view of a thread tensioner of modified construction;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. '8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing another modified construction;

-Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line H'll ofFig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modified construction;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line Iii-I3 of Fig. 12;;

Fig. 14. is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing another modified construction;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line I'd-I5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through another modified construction;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line III'I of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a view showing another modified construction in longitudinal section;

Fig. 19 is a view taken along the line I9-I9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of another modified construction;

Fig. 21 is a view taken along the line 2I-2I of Fig. 20.

The thread tensioning device illustrated in Figs. 1 through 7 has a hollow body I which is open at both ends and which, at its inner end, is formed at opposite sides with recesses 2 which are longitudinally arcuate in a direction circumferentially of the body in order that when the device is applied to a persons finger, it may fit snugly against the hand about the inner end of the finger. Therefore, the device will be comfortable to wear and, in addition, the portions of the inner end of the body between the side recesses will prevent the body from turning about the finger out of its proper position. The outer end of the body is cut straight across so that it is flat as shown in Fig. 7. At its front side the body is formed with a boss 3 which projects laterally therefrom in a forward direction and at its upper or outer end is formed with a recess or socket 4. This socket communicates with the interior of the body and at opposite sides of the recess are notches which are aligned with each other so that a thread or yarn 5 passed through the socket transversely thereof may be seated in the notches. The rear side portion of the body is formed with recesses or notches I which are spaced from each other circumferentially of the body and lead from the outer end of the body. The body is, therefore, formed as a unit and since the body is formed of plastic it may be completely formed in a molding operation.

A gripping member 8 cooperates with the body I and is also formed as a unit of molded plastic or other suitable material. This grippingmember is in the form of a ring which corresponds in diameter with the diameter of the body and at its front side is provided with a forwardly projecting boss 8 disposed directly over the boss 3. A lug I6 extends downwardly from the boss 9 and is of substantially rectangular shape and of such dimensions that it may fit into the socket 4 and slide freely in this socket. In its rear side portion, the gripping ring 8 is formed with recesses or notches II which are spaced from each other circumferentially of the ring and disposed directly over the recesses I. The recesses 'I and II are of even width and also of an even depth, and into these recesses fit upper and lower portions of hinge members or strips I2. These hinge members pref erably consist of strips of rubber or equivalent elastic material which are connected by a horizontally extending bar or strip I3 having ends projecting from outer side faces of the strips I2. The hinge member formed by the strips I2 and I3 is therefore substantially H-shaped and when the upper and lower portions of its vertically extending strips I2 are fitted into the notches I and II, the gripping ring 8 will be spaced upwardly from the upper or outer end of the body I and yieldably held in the normal inactive position shown in Fig. 2. The finger which passes through the body and the ring projects from the ring and the diameter of the body and the ring is such that the finger may be readily bent at a joint to a position in which it extends forwardly across the outer end of the ring. It will thus be seen that when a thread is passed between the bosses of the body and the ring and through the notches 5 at opposite sides of the boss 3, it will be possible to freely slide the thread longitudinally as it is needed during a knitting or crocheting operation.

When it is desired to apply tension to the thread, it is merely necessary to bend the finger forwardly and downwardly from the position shown in Figs. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1 and the boss 9 and the lug or block I0 carried thereby will be shifted downwardly to a position in which the thread is gripped between the underface of the lug I0 and the bottom of the socket l. As soon as pressure upon the boss 9 is relieved, the resilient hinge member will return the ring 8 to its raised position and the thread may then be freely drawn through the socket. When the ring is in its raised or inactive position, the lock or lug I6 fits loosely in the upper portion of the socket and while the thread may be freely drawn longitudinally through the socket transversely thereof, it will not be liable to accidentally slip out of its position under the block or lug.

In some cases, a tensioning device consisting merely of the tubular body I and the gripping ring 8 will not be long enough to extend the proper distance along the finger when applied thereto. In such cases, an auxiliary ring I4 is applied to the outer end of the ring 8. This auxiliary ring I4 is substantially of the same construction as the ring 8 except that its boss I5 is not formed with a lug or block corresponding to the lug II) of the boss 9. The ring I I has been shown of slightly less thickness than the ring 8 although it may be of the same thickness and the ring I4 is also of the same diameter as the ring 8. Therefore, when the auxiliary ring is applied to the outer end of the gripping ring 8 and cemented to the outer end thereof, there will be in effect provided a gripping ring of the same diameter as the ring 8 but of greater length. If necessary, additional auxiliary rings may be applied until a gripping ring of the desired length has been produced. The auxiliary ring and the gripping ring and the body are all formed of molded plastic which may be of a solid color or transparent.

Instead of forming the hinge member as shown in Figs. 1 through 7, it may be formed either as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 or as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. In Figs. 8 and 9, the hinge member consists of a single strip or block I6 which is greater in width than the strips I2. This strip or block I6 fits into aligned grooves I! and I8 formed in the hollow body I and the gripping ring 8 where it is secured by cement, the length of the hinge block being such that the gripping ring is spaced upwardly from the outer end of the body. Grooves I9 are formed along opposite side edges of the elastic hinge block or strip and into these grooves engage tapered ribs 20 formed along opposite side walls of the recesses IT and I8. Since the ribs or transversely tapered walls of the recesses Ii and I8 have interfitting engagement with side edge portions of the hinge strip or block, they prevent the hingle block from pislipping 1 out of the recesses. The ihinge'sstrips 12] shown in Figs. '10 and l l are .of the same width as thestrips l2 but-are:not connected:by across bar or strip. 'Iheserstrips 2l fit into grooves or recesses 22 and .13 formed :in the preventedifrom accidentally: slipping out of :place.

.In Figs. l2 .and .13, there .has been shown 'a modified construction wherein the hollow body I and the gripping ringiii are. conn'ectedzbyahinge 25 which may be'of the same construction-as shown in Fig. '7 and provided with portions225 which fit into recesses 26 corresponding .to the recesses l and II. The boss 2''! 'OfIthe bodyis formed at its top withasocket Z8 open atboth .its inner or rear end and its 'outer'or front :end and having side openings '29 through whichzthe thread passes. The-boss 39 of thegrippingring t is formed with a block orlug. 3 l-which fits-snugly into the socket 28 and is OfzSllCh dimensions that it projects slightly-fromtheopen front end of the'socket. This lug or block 3l has very, good gripping action upon'the portionof the thread passing through the socket and when :the .ring is pressed to its operative position the thread will befirmly held .against slipping and tension .may be applied to the threadina-very effective manner.

In Figs. 14 and 15 there :hasbeen illustrated another embodimentofthe invention. Thebody 32 and the gripping ring 33 are formed of molded plastic, the sameaspreviously-set forth, and the ring is mounted-overthe body by. an elastic hinge member 34 :corresponding to the hinge member 25. A boss 36 and a'companion .boss 3'! projectingforwardly-fromathe body-and the ring and the boss 36 is formed at its'upper end with a groove or socket 38 whichextends the full width of the boss. The threadi39 passes through the groove 33 and isgripped-by 2. lug or tongue 69 which extends downwardly from the boss 37 the full width thereof andentersrthe groove. It will thusbe-seen that insteadof providing the boss'of the ring with a'rectangular block or lug, there has -been provided a-tongue which fits snugly into the groove.38 and will .firmly grip the threadwhenafinger is bent forwardly and downwardly into pressing engagement with the boss at the front of the ring.

The tensioning-device illustrated :in .Figs. 16 and 17 also consists of a hollowbody 4| and-a gripping ring 42 formed-of molded-plastic and connected by a hinge member '43 corresponding .to-the hinge member 34. The boss projecting from the front side-of the body is formed .with'a socket 45 leading from its'upper .end'and with side openings 46 to receive the thread. The sockct 45 receives a lug or block t'l 'extending downwardly from the boss 43 of .thegrippingring so that gripping pressure .may bezapplied'to the portion of the thread passing through the socket transversely thereof. It should be-notedghowever, that the socketandthe lug orablock'which fits into it are circular in crosssection-instead of rectangular. Since the lug or-block Misrcircular in cross section, the thread-maybeveryaeasily passed downwardly about the lug andzinto the :bottom of the socket when .applyingxtheithread tothe tensioning device.

The tensioning-device shown-in,-Eigs.:1-8 and 19 has .a body-49 and a-gripping ringiiimformedvof 6. rmolded xplastic, :;or other tsuita'ble'r-material, zan'd .cconnectedby;aihingemember 5 l :correspondingto :th'ezhinge member. .Bosses52 sand 53 project forwardly :fromtthe hollow body and the ring but instead of forming the boss 52 with 'atsocket into whichfits ablock'or lug carried by the'boss 53,f.the boss-52 is=.solidithroughoutrits length'and is formed with arfiat upper :orouter end; surface :across-which'the thread passes. At 'oppositetside *edges of theboss :53, are spurs 54 which extend t'd'ownwardly'in overlapping relation torsidetfaces of thetboss152. These-spurs are spaced from each rother'v longitudinally'of the'side. edges or the upper end oftherboss 53 a su'ificien't distance to permit a thread 5.5;toibegengaged 'between thelugs. Therefore, the spurs serve to holdi-thefthread inplace across therboss 52 as :well as cservingaas guides for controlling movement of the boss 53 toward and away from the boss '52. The thread will, therefore, be prevented from slipping out of its proper position across the'boss 52-and the boss 5-3 will be prevented from shifting transversely out of its'proper position directly over the boss 52.

The thread tensioning device shown in Figs. 20 and 21 has a body 56 formed of plastic and carrying aforwardly projecting boss 51 inthe .upper end portion-of which is formed a socket -58 having side openings 59.-so that a thread'may be passed through the socket transversely thereof. The gripper '60, instead of being a complete ring is of semi-circular formation and at its .front is formed'with a boss 6| disposed directly over the boss 51 and carrying adepending lug or block62 which fits into the socket 58. Instead of mounting the gripper by a hinge member formed of elastic material, there has .been provided a mounting memberlitformed of resilient wire. This strand of wireis bentto form a loop .or ring which is cemented in a groove 64- formed in the innerside .face of the gripper-60. The resilient loop or ringfi3projects from the gripper and endportions of thewire strand of which it is. formed have beenbent to form prongs 65 which extend downwardly. and are seatedin small open- .ings L66 drilled in the upper end ofthe body at the, .rear thereof. This resilient mounting memlber normally .holds the gripper in .the raised .or inactive position shown .in Fig. 20 but. allows the gripper tobe pressed downwardly when the huger upon which the device is appliedis bent to the position shown in F'ig. land, when pressure is removed'from'the gripper, the gripperreturns to its normally inactive position. The bottom of'the 'soc'ketand the lower end of the lug "62 are, covered withpads tland 68 which maybe formed of any suitable fabric .which will cause them to verytightly grip the thread and the 'forward portion of the gripper '60 is provided withapadding strip "69 against which thefinger bears whentheffinger is. bent to. a pressure applying position. A similar. pad may be provided along the forward portion of the inner end of 'thebody and thus eliminate roughening of'the finger "by contact with the plastic 'body and the plastic gripper when pressure. is applied .to move the gripper to 'a gripping position.

In-all-of the-embodimentsillustrated, the operation is the same, :the thread being-disposed across theboss of the body transversely thereof where it is prevented from slipping transversely 'out-of'place when the-gripper is in inactive position but maybe readily drawnacross the boss. In each instance, it is merely necessary I to bend the finger forwardly and down- .wardly :from theposition in Fig. 2- to that of Fig. l

and thus press/the boss of the gripper toward the boss of the body to an operative position in which it firmly grips the thread and holds the thread under tension as long as the finger remains in the bent position.

In the drawings the thread tensioner has been shown applied to the left hand but it will be understood that it may be applied to the right hand instead of the left hand and that the tensioner may be placed upon the little finger or any other finger of a persons hand. It will also be understood that when knitting or crocheting a needle may be held in either the hand upon which the tensioner is applied or the other hand, or a needle may be held in each hand.

What is claimed is:

1. A thread tensioning device comprising a finger-encircling band having a flat outer end and at its inner end having diametrically opposed recesses arcuate circumferentially of the band and adapting the band to fit snugly against a portion of a persons hand about the adjoining inner end of a persons finger, a boss integral with said band and projecting forwardly laterally therefrom and at its outer end being fiush with the outer end of the band and formed with a socket open at its outer end and also at opposite sides of the boss, a gripping ring over the outer end of said band having a forwardly projecting boss overlying the boss of said band and carrying a lug loosely fitting into said socket through the open upper end thereof, and resilient means extending between confronting end portions of the band and the ring opposite the bosses and yieldably holding the ring spaced from the outer end of the band and also holding its lug in spaced relation to the bottom of the socket, but allowing pressure of a finger applied to the upper end of the boss carried by the ring to force the lug toward the bottom of the socket into gripping engagement with a thread having a portion passing through the socket transversely thereof between the bottom of the socket and the confronting free end of the lug.

2. A thread tensioning device comprising a finger-encircling body of dimensions adapting it to fit loosely about a finger between the inner end of the finger and a finger joint, a boss carried by and projecting laterally from said body in a forward direction at the front side thereof, the outer end of said lug being formed with a socket open at its outer end and at opposite sides for passage of a thread through the socket transversely thereof, a gripping ring aligned with and spaced from the outer end of said body, a boss extending laterally from said ring in a forward direction in overlying relation to the boss of said body and carrying a depending lug fitting loosely into said socket, and a resilient member yieldably connecting the inner end of said ring with the outer end of said body, said resilient member being located at the opposite side of the body and the ring from the bosses and yieldably holding the ring in outwardly spaced relation to the body but permitting movement of the lug with the ring toward the bottom of the socket to a gripping position by pressure applied to the boss of the ring by forward and downward movement of the protruding portion of the finger about which the device is disposed into pressing contact with the lug of the ring.

3. A thread tensioning device comprising a tubular finger-encircling body having inner and outer ends, a forward portion of the body being externally thickened between its inner and outer ends and formed with a socket open at its outer end, there being openings at opposite sides of the socket whereby a thread may be passed through and across the socket transversely thereof, a clamping member aligned with and spaced outwardly from the outer end of said body, a resilient member yieldably mounting said clamping member for movement toward and away from the outer end of the body, and 2. lug extending forwardly from said clamping member and into said socket in position for gripping engagement with a portion of a thread passing through the socket when the clamping member is pressed toward the outer end of the body.

4. A thread tensioning device comprising a finger-encircling body having an outer end formed with a forwardly disposed thread receiving socket open at opposite sides, a clamping member over the outer end of said body, a member yieldably mounting said clamping member for movement toward the body by pressure applied to its outer end by a portion of a finger passed through and projecting outwardly from the body and the clamping member, and a lug carried by the clamping member and projecting forwardly therefrom and loosely fitting into the socket.

5. A thread tensioning device comprising an annular finger-encircling body adapted to be applied about a finger with a portion of the finger protruding from the outer end of the body, said body having an outer end portion provided with a forwardly projecting thread-engaging portion, a clamping member spaced upwardly from the outer end of said body and yieldably mounted for movement toward the outer end of the body to a clamping position relative to the threadengaging portion by pressure applied to the outer end of the clamping member by forward and downward bending movement of the protruding portion of the finger passed through and projecting outwardly from the body and the clamping member.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the body and the clamping member are formed at the rear sides thereof with aligned slots extending longitudinally of the body, the clamping member being yieldably mounted by blocks of elastic material fitting tightly into the aligned slots and firmly secured against displacement from the slots.

'7. The structure of claim 5 wherein the body and the clamping member are formed at the rear sides thereof with aligned slots extending longitudinally of the body, the clamping member being yieldably mounted by blocks of elastic material fitting tightly into the aligned slots, side edge faces of the blocks and confronting side walls of the slots being one formed with a longitudinally extending groove and the other with a rib fitting into the companion groove and preventing lateral displacement of the block.

8. The structure of claim 5 wherein the clamping member is mounted for movement toward and away from the body by a resilient strand bent to circular shape and secured to the clamping member, and ends of the resilient strap being bent toward the body and anchored to the body.

9. The structure of claim 5 wherein the thread engaging portion of the body is formed with a socket open at its top and across its rear side, there being thread receiving notches formed in opposite side walls of the socket, and the clamping member having a forwardly extending por tion overlying the socket and carrying a downwardly extending lug fitting loosely in the socket and having a fiat lower end face constituting a thread-engaging face.

10. The structure of claim 5 wherein the thread engaging portion of the body projects forwardly from the body and has an upper end face across which is formed a transversely extending thread-receiving slot, the clamping member having a forwardly projecting portion overlying the forwardly projecting portion of the body and carrying a depending tongue loosely fitting into the slot.

11. The structure of claim 5 wherein the thread engaging portion of the body projects forwardly from the body and has a flat upper end face, the clamping member having a threadengaging portion projecting forwardly therefrom and having a lower end face presented toward the upper face of the thread-engaging member of the body, and spurs extending downwardly from opposite side edges of the thread-engaging portion of said clamping member in overlapping relation to opposite side faces of the thread-engaging portion of the body, said spurs constituting thread guides between which a thread is adapted to pass and also serving to guide movement of the clamping member toward and away from the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,210,320 Hughes Dec. 26, 1916 1,656,308 Weber Jan. 1'7, 1928 2,142,608 Hockert Jan. 3, 1939 2,209,839 Long July 30, 1940 2,472,702 Greenstein June '7, 1949 

